Two point wheelchair securement system

ABSTRACT

The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a drop-in system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate two separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at two separate attachment points and a bumper. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, a bumper and two restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures at a wall side of a wheelchair securement area or at a rear side of the wheelchair securement area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The embodiments described and claimed herein relate generally towheelchair securement methods, systems, and devices for wheelchairaccessible vehicles. More specifically, at least some of the embodimentsdescribed herein relate to a method, system, or device for securing awheelchair and wheelchair passenger in a vehicle (train, bus, van,plane, etc.) using 2 points of attachment for securing the wheelchair.

Background Art

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all publictransit service providers must accommodate persons with disabilities,including those who must use a wheelchair as their seat in the transportvehicle. The ADA also mandates that, for the safety of the wheelchairuser and near-by passengers, the wheelchair must be secured so that itwill not move more than 2″ in any direction during normal vehicleoperation. In addition, restraints must be attached to thewheelchair—historically two in front and two in the rear—that aresufficiently strong to keep it secured in the event of a crash event.

Current systems on the market generally use a 4-point attachment systemwhere 2 restraints are used to secure the front of the wheelchair, and 2are used to secure the rear of the wheelchair (one on each “corner” ofthe wheelchair). They are considered by many to be relatively cumbersomeand time-consuming to use, especially if it is a public transit vehiclewhere dwell times are critical.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved securement system forsecuring wheelchairs in vehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments described and claimed herein solve at least some of theproblems of the prior art wheelchair restraint systems. In simple terms,the embodiments described and claimed herein utilize two vehicleattachment points and two wheelchair attachments points to effectivelysecure a wheelchair. Instead of using a third or even a fourthwheelchair attachment point like the prior art, the present system mayalso use a third contact or touch point between the wheelchair andbumper. The bumper can be formed in a part of the vehicle itself (suchas a side-wall) or could be a separate structure that is rigidly ormovably fixed to the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the concept includes a “station” or “wheelchairsecurement area” that represents one wheelchair position in the vehicle.The station contains a forward facing barrier with a single integratedwheelchair restraint for securing the rear of the wheelchair. Thestation also may contain a side module/structure where a 2nd restraintis located (i.e., on wall side of the vehicle). This sidemodule/structure may or may not be connected to the rear forward facingbarrier. Both the forward facing barrier and the side module/structurewould also allow for the installation of flip seating for passengers touse when a wheelchair is not being secured.

In this concept, the front restraint is used to pull the wheelchairtoward the wall (or flip seat), preventing movement of the wheelchairtoward the aisle. A padding/cushion/bumper could also be used againstthe wall-side module to provide an opposing force that will improve thestability of the wheelchair even further. In addition, the cushion wouldalso allow for space between the chair and the wall, preventing thewheelchair from hitting the wall/flip-seat and/or the arm or hand of thewheelchair passenger from getting caught between the two. The rearrestraint is used to secure the wheelchair in such a vector/angle as topull it in a direction both toward the opposing bumper/padding/cushionand the rear forward facing barrier/structure.

In another embodiment, the station contains a forward facing barrierwith two integrated wheelchair restraints for securing the rear of thewheelchair. The station also may contain a side module/structure (i.e.,on wall side of the vehicle). This side module/structure may or may notbe connected to the rear forward facing barrier. Both the forward facingbarrier and the side module/structure would also allow for theinstallation of flip seating for passengers to use when a wheelchair isnot being secured.

In this concept, the two rear restraints are used to pull the wheelchairtoward the forward facing barrier, and because they are connected to thewheelchair at opposing rear corners, preventing rotation of thewheelchair toward the aisle. A padding/cushion/bumper could also be usedon or underneath the forward facing barrier to provide an opposing forcethat will improve the stability of the wheelchair even further. Inaddition, the cushion would also allow for space between the chair andthe forward facing barrier, preventing the wheelchair from hitting theforward facing barrier and/or the arm or hand of the wheelchairpassenger from getting caught between the two. In this concept, the rearbumper/padding/cushion would have to conform to the rear shape of manydifferent types of wheelchairs as opposed to just being a static bumper.

Both of the above-described embodiments can further include a tensioningmechanism to inducing pretension into the restraints and to urge thewheelchair into contact or in close proximity to thebumper/padding/cushion.

These and additional embodiments described and claimed below providefaster securement time that the prior art for a wheelchair passenger.This is important with city buses and other public forms oftransportation that are on a strict schedule. In addition, theembodiments described and claimed herein minimizes OEM installation costand time.

Other embodiments, which include some combination of the featuresdiscussed above and below and other features which are known in the art,are contemplated as falling within the claims even if such embodimentsare not specifically identified and discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, objects, and advantages of theembodiments described and claimed herein will become better understoodupon consideration of the following detailed description, appendedclaims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of atwo-point wheelchair securement system, which includes a barrier moduleand a side-wall module;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the securement system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the securement system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fourth perspective view of the securement system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a second embodiment of a two-pointwheelchair securement system;

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a third embodiment of a two-pointwheelchair securement system.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols,phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details which are not necessary for an understandingof the embodiments described and claimed herein or which render otherdetails difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should beunderstood, of course, that the inventions described herein are notnecessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated. Indeed,it is expected that persons of ordinary skill in the art may devise anumber of alternative configurations that are similar and equivalent tothe embodiments shown and described herein without departing from thespirit and scope of the claims.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar partsfrom Figure to Figure in the following detailed description of thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of a two-pointwheelchair securement system (or station) 110 is shown for securing awheelchair and its occupant in a vehicle, such as a bus, van, train,aircraft, boat, or the like. The first embodiment of the wheelchairsecurement system 110 includes a barrier module 120 and a side-wallmodule 130.

In the first embodiment, the wheelchair securement system 110 is bestcharacterized as a drop-in system for a vehicle which is fully-equippedto secure a wheelchair and its passenger in a forward facing orientation(i.e., with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle). In thisorientation, the barrier module 120 is forward-facing (i.e., positionedrearward of the side-wall module 130 in the vehicle) and secures thewheelchair at a single attachment point at the rear of the wheelchair,in particular in the rear-wall-side quadrant of the wheelchair. Althoughshown in a configuration suitable for installation adjacent a right sidewall of a vehicle, the system 110 could be configured as a mirror imageof the shown configuration for installation adjacent a left side wall ofthe vehicle. The side-wall module 130 is positioned adjacent to a wallof the vehicle and secures the wheelchair at a single attachment pointat the front of the wheelchair. The barrier module 120 and side-wallmodule 130, through the use of two points of attachment to thewheelchair, work in conjunction to adequately secure the wheelchair incompliance with the ADA and to prevent significant movement, twisting,or tipping of the wheelchair.

To facilitate simple installation, the shown system 110 is intended tobe substantially assembled for a vehicle manufacturer (or retrofitter)and needs only to be mounted or bolted into place without any furthersignificant installation.

To make most efficient use of vehicle space, both the barrier module 120and the side-wall module can include flip-seats. In that respect, thearea designated for the wheelchair passenger system 110 can be used forother passengers, sitting and/or standing, when it is not needed for awheelchair passenger.

The wheelchair securement system 110 includes two securement (ortie-down) assemblies 140 a, 140 b which work in conjunction toadequately secure a wheelchair in compliance with the ADA. In the firstembodiment, each of the two securement assemblies 140 a, 140 b comprisea retractor 142 a, 142 b. Each retractor 142 a, 142 b includes severalfeet of webbing (or strap) 144 a, 144 b at a terminal end of which isprovided a wheelchair engaging member 146 a, 146 b which could be anytype of fastener. The shown wheelchair engaging member or fastener is ananchor (or S-hook or J-hook) which can be easily attached to and easilyremoved from any portion of a wheelchair, such as a structural member.Retractors suitable for use in this application include Q'Straint's QRTSeries retractors. As an alternative to the retractors shown herein,manually adjustable straps can be used, such as Q'Straint's Q-5000 andM-series belt systems.

The refractor 142 a, as shown, is mounted external to the barrier module120. However, it is contemplated that the retractor 142 a can be mountedinternal to the barrier module 120, as shown and described in U.S. Pat.No. 8,414,234, which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference. If mounted internally, the only portion of the securementassembly 140 a that would protrude from the barrier module 120 is therestraint strap 144 a, and the wheelchair engagement members 146 a.

The retractor 142 b would be mounted to the leg of the side-wall module130, underneath a fold-up seat. This configuration substantially reducesthe potential tripping hazard for passengers, as compared to prior artsystems which include exposed retractors.

While the depictions of the first embodiment show the retractors 142 a,142 b mounted the barrier module 120 and the wall-side module 130, it iscontemplated that other embodiments could mount the retractors 142 a,142 b to any other component of the vehicle, such as the wall or floor.Indeed, a simple embodiment need not include the barrier module 120 orthe wall-side module 130 at all. Such simple embodiments could consistof two securement assemblies which are mounted at the rear-wall cornerand at the front-wall corner of the wheelchair securement area,respectively. The securement assemblies can be fastened to any surfaceor structure of the vehicle, including the floor and walls.

While the retractors 142 a, 142 b could theoretically be mounteddirectly to a floor surface of the vehicle, it has been found thatbetter performance can be obtained by spacing the retractors 142 a, 142b a distance from the floor, a configuration espoused by the firstembodiment of the wheelchair securement system 110. However, theretractors 142 a, 142 b should be spaced a slight distance below thewheelchair structure to which the wheelchair engaging members 146 a, 146b will be attached. In other words, it is preferable that the restraintstrap 144 a, 144 b be slightly angled upwards toward the wheelchair sothat the securement assembly 140 a, 140 b can exert a downward force onthe wheelchair.

The barrier module 120 of the first embodiment also includes a remotecontrol device with a release latch (or paddle handle) (not shown) forreleasing one or both of the securement assemblies 140 a, 140 b. Forexample, the embodiments could include any of the systems described inU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/705,452, U.S.provisional patent application No. 60/618,572, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/252,326, and/or PCT patent application no. PCT/US06/30085,which are all incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

The first embodiment of the wheelchair securement system 110 alsoincludes a side bumper, barrier or pad 134. The side barrier 134 can beconstructed of any material and can be rigid, soft and/or resilient. Forexample, the side barrier 134 could comprise high density polyurethanefoam similar to car headrests, and could be covered with fabric.Alternatively, a metal, plastic, or rubberized structure could be used.

The side barrier 134 can serve one or more of many different functions.For example, as shown, the barrier serves at least two purposes. First,the barrier 134 provides spacing between the wheelchair and the vehiclewall (and/or the side-wall module 130). The spacing between thewheelchair and the wall/side-wall module 130 that is provided by theside barrier 134 serves to prevent injury to the wheelchair passenger inan accident, should an appendage find its way therebetween. Second, thebarrier 134 resists lateral and/or rotative movement of the wheelchairtowards the vehicle wall. Ideally, although not necessarily, thewheelchair will be in close proximity or will actually touch the sidebarrier 134 when properly secured.

In the shown embodiment, it is contemplated that the side barrier 134would have resilient properties, wherein it would have some give, butstill provide firm support for the wheelchair. In an alternativeembodiment, the side barrier 134 could be biased outward using, forexample, a spring that pushes the side barrier 134 outward. When thefront restraint 140 b was hooked up and would pull the chair in, thesprings would provide an opposing force to stabilize the chair. Asdiscussed in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,234, the side barrier134 could also be mechanized or inflatable, wherein it is movable topositively contact the wheelchair and induce pre-tension into thesecurement assemblies 140 a, 140 b. In a further alternative embodiment,the side barrier 134 could be slideably mounted, as shown and describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/842,407, which is incorporated inits entirety herein by reference, to accommodate a barrier module 120and side-wall module 130 that both include flip-seats.

In the shown embodiment, it is also contemplated that a restraintmechanism, or tensioner assembly 138, of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 8,414,234 would be used in conjunction with one or both of therestraints 140 a, 140 b to adequately secure the wheelchair incompliance with the ADA and to prevent significant movement, twisting,or tipping of the wheelchair.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of a wheelchair securementstation 210 is depicted. The station 210 presents a much more simpleconfiguration than presented by the previously described embodiments andincludes two securement assemblies 240 a, 240 b positioned in therear-wall side quadrant and the front wall-side quadrant of thewheelchair securement area, respectively. Like the earlier embodiment,the securement assemblies 240 a, 240 b can include retractors. While theearlier embodiment shows the retractors attached to various barrier andside-wall modules, the retractors 240 a, 240 b of the second embodimentcan be mounted to any structure in the vehicle; for example, theretractors could be floor or wall mounted. In such configuration, theretractors 240 a, 240 b can be directly attached to the wall or floor,or could be attached to the wall or floor using track structures orpocket anchorages. For example, in one installation, Q'Straint's “L”track structure or Slide N' Click pocket anchorages could be used. Abracket of some type could be used to ensure the angle and position ofthe retractor is optimal. As with the earlier embodiment, the retractors240 a, 240 b cooperate with a bumper, barrier, or pad 234 to adequatelysecure the wheelchair in compliance with the ADA and to preventsignificant movement, twisting, or tipping of the wheelchair. As withthe previous embodiment, the bumper can be stationary or moveable,remote releases can be used one or both of the retractors to maintainthem in an unlocked condition for a predetermined period of time, andtensioning mechanisms can be used with one or both of the retractors.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a third embodiment of a wheelchair securementstation 310 is depicted. As with the second embodiment, the station 310presents a much more simple configuration than presented by the firstembodiments and includes two securement assemblies 340 a, 340 bpositioned in the rear-wall side quadrant and the rear aisle-sidequadrant of the wheelchair securement area, respectively. Like theearlier embodiment, the securement assemblies 340 a, 340 b can includeretractors. While the first embodiments shows one retractor attached toa barrier module and a second retractor attached to a side-wall module,the retractors 340 a, 340 b of the third embodiment can both be mountedto the barrier module or to any other structure in the vehicle; forexample, the retractors could be floor or wall mounted. In suchconfiguration, the retractors 340 a, 340 b can be directly attached tothe wall or floor, or could be attached to the wall or floor using trackstructures or pocket anchorages. For example, in one installation,Q'Straint's “L” track structure or Slide N' Click pocket anchoragescould be used. A bracket of some type could be used to ensure the angleand position of the retractor is optimal. Alternatively, both retractorscould be attached to an extendable or retractable arm structure, likethe one disclosed in U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/776,223, which isincorporated in its entirely herein by reference. Alternatively, thedevice disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,655, which is incorporated inits entirety herein by reference, could be used to provide the two rearrestraints. As with the earlier embodiment, the retractors 340 a, 340 bcooperate with a bumper, barrier, or pad 334 to adequately secure thewheelchair in compliance with the ADA and to prevent significantmovement, twisting, or tipping of the wheelchair. As with the previousembodiment, the bumper can be stationary or moveable. For example, themoveable backrest disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/799,756, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference,can be used as the bumper 334. In addition, remote releases can be usedone or both of the retractors to maintain them in an unlocked conditionfor a predetermined period of time and tensioning mechanisms can be usedwith one or both of the retractors.

Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been describedin considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described andclaimed herein can be practiced by other than those embodiments, whichhave been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. Itshould be understood that the arrangements described herein are forpurposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art willappreciate that other arrangements and other elements can be usedinstead, and some elements may be omitted altogether. Further, many ofthe elements may be implemented as discrete or distributed components orin conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination.

We claim:
 1. In a vehicle having a mobility device securement area witha front half and a rear half, a securement system securing a mobilitydevice in the mobility device securement area while being transported,comprising: the mobility device being disposed in the mobility devicesecurement area, with a front of the mobility device being disposed inthe front half of the mobility device securement area and a rear of themobility device being disposed in the rear half of the mobility devicesecurement area; a bumper and one and only one group of flexiblerestraints securing the mobility device, the group of flexiblerestraints consisting of a first restraint and second restraint; and,the first restraint being secured between a first vehicle attachmentpoint that is located in a rear half of the mobility device securementarea and a first mobility device attachment point, the second restraintbeing secured between a second vehicle attachment point that is locatedin a front half of the mobility device securement area and a secondmobility device attachment point, whereby the first restraint, thesecond restraint, and the bumper are configured to collectively exertboth a tensile force and a compressive force on the mobility device torestrain the position of the mobility device.
 2. The securement systemof claim 1, wherein the first mobility device attachment point isdisposed at a rear corner of the mobility device and the second mobilitydevice attachment point is disposed at a front corner of the mobilitydevice.
 3. The securement system of claim 1, wherein the first restraintand the second restraint are retractors.
 4. The securement system ofclaim 1 further comprising a tensioning mechanism, wherein thetensioning mechanism is adapted to add tension to at least one of thefirst restraint and the second restraint.
 5. The securement system ofclaim 4, wherein the tensioning mechanism is adapted to urge themobility device in a direction toward the bumper.
 6. The securementsystem of claim 2 further comprising a tensioning mechanism, wherein thetensioning mechanism is adapted to add tension to at least one of thefirst restraint or the second restraint.
 7. The securement system ofclaim 1 wherein the bumper is configured to move into contact with themobility device whereby tension is added to at least one of the firstrestraint and the second restraint.
 8. The securement system of claim 2wherein the bumper is adapted to be positioned adjacent a wall of thevehicle, the rear corner is a wall-side rear corner, and the frontcorner is a wall-side front corner.
 9. The securement system of claim 1,wherein the first and second restraints are retractors and thesecurement system further comprises a restraint control assembly, therestraint control assembly being operatively associated with at leastone of the first restraint and the second restraint to manipulate the atleast one of the first restraint and the second restraint between alocked position and a released position, whereby activation of therestraint control assembly places the at least one of the firstrestraint and the second restraint in the released position for a periodof time.
 10. The securement system of claim 1, wherein the bumper isadapted to be positioned adjacent a wall of the vehicle.
 11. Thesecurement system of claim 2, wherein the rear corner is a wall-siderear corner.
 12. The securement system of claim 2, wherein the frontcorner is a wall-side front corner.
 13. The securement system of claim2, wherein the bumper is adapted to be positioned at least partiallybetween the rear corner and the front corner of the mobility device. 14.In a vehicle having a mobility device securement area, a securementsystem securing a mobility device in the mobility device securement areawhile being transported: the mobility device being disposed in themobility device securement area, with a front of the mobility devicebeing disposed in the front half of the mobility device securement areaand a rear of the mobility device being disposed in the rear half of themobility device securement area; a bumper and two and only two flexiblerestraints securing of the mobility device, the two flexible restraintscomprising a first restraint and a second restraint; the first restraintextending between a first vehicle attachment point that is located in arear half of the mobility device securement area and a first mobilitydevice attachment point; and, the second restraint extending between asecond vehicle attachment point that is located in a front half of themobility device securement area and a second mobility device attachmentpoint, at least one of the first restraint and the second restraint isconfigured to exert both a first force vector along a first horizontalaxis and a second force vector along a second horizontal axis on themobility device, wherein the second force vector is balanced at least inpart by a force exerted on the mobility device by the bumper.
 15. Thesecurement system of claim 14, wherein the first mobility deviceattachment point is disposed at a rear corner of the mobility device andthe second mobility device attachment point is disposed at a frontcorner of the mobility device.
 16. The securement system of claim 14further comprising a tensioning mechanism, wherein the tensioningmechanism is adapted to add tension to at least one of the firstrestraint and the second restraint.
 17. The securement system of claim14 wherein the bumper is positioned at least partially in a regionformed between the first vehicle attachment point and the second vehicleattachment point.
 18. The securement system of claim 17, wherein thebumper is configured to move into contact with the mobility devicewhereby tension is added to at least one of the first restraint and thesecond restraint.
 19. The securement system of claim 15, wherein thebumper is positioned at least partially between the rear corner and thefront corner.
 20. The securement system of claim 1, wherein the bumperis positioned at least partially in a region formed between the firstvehicle attachment point and the second vehicle attachment point. 21.The securement system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thebumper is positioned outside a region formed between the first vehicleattachment point and the second vehicle attachment point.
 22. Thesecurement system of claim 1, wherein the compressive force is acompressive vector force generally oriented in a direction parallel to afloor of the mobility device securement area, and at least one of thefirst restraint and the second restraint is angled upward toward themobility device to cooperate with a floor of the vehicle to exert asecond compressive force on the mobility device, the second compressiveforce being a second compressive vector force generally oriented in asecond direction perpendicular to the floor of the mobility devicesecurement area.
 23. The securement system of claim 22, wherein thetensile force is oriented in one of either a lateral direction or alongitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle, the compressiveforce is oriented in the other of either the lateral direction or thelongitudinal direction.
 24. The securement system of claim 23, whereinthe tensile force is oriented in the longitudinal direction and thecompressive force is oriented in the lateral direction.
 25. Thesecurement system of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the bumperis positioned outside a region formed between the first vehicleattachment point and the second vehicle attachment point.
 26. Thesecurement system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the firstrestraint and the second restraint is angled upward toward the mobilitydevice and exerts a downward vector force on the mobility device. 27.The securement system of claim 26, wherein the first horizontal axis isoriented in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle and thesecond horizontal axis is oriented in a lateral direction relative tothe vehicle.